Performance Task in UCSP
There Was This Really Fat Girl
(Young Adult Fiction, 2009)
by Carla M. Pacis
Prepared by:
Group 2
Tojeno, Cinderela Antoinette
Agunias, Hazel Mae Grava, Shaun
Hermosa, Yuri Izzabelle
Realiza, Christian
Torrejos, Mishaila
Introduction
“There Was This Really Fat Girl”, young adult fiction novel by Carla M. Pacis, has self-acceptance and pressure thrust upon an individual to grow up as major themes. The novel is set during the narrative about a teenage girl's issues involving body image problems, bullying, and complex relationships with friends and family. This simple example of Pacis falls in line with the notion that the perceptions, either of themselves or even their emotions, of people could be defined based on the aesthetic standards of the society. Essentially, it critiques such thin ideals, where self-love and strength emerge as central aspects. The core argument for the analysis of our paper is that the story depicts not only a reflection of challenges but also presents a reminder for individuals to accept diversity and extend a compassionate attitude to others. In the book, the narrative makes the book a call to reject judgment and instead fosters kindness and self-empowerment.
Summary
In Carla M. Paci’s young adult fiction, Ana is a girl who is very self-conscious about her weight. She lives in an unnamed city and is excited to attend her prom along with her friends. However, Ana faces such an issue, she believes that she is too fat to look good in her ideal dress and worries about finding a date for the prom. One day, her best friend introduces her to a boy, but Ana is deeply hurt when he shows no interest in her. Determined to lose weight quickly, Ana resorts to taking banned medication, hoping it will solve her problems. Despite her drastic weight loss, things do not turn out as she has expected, and Ana ultimately misses the prom.
Analysis and Interpretation
Biographical context
The biographical context of There Was This Really Fat Girl by Carla M. Pacis sheds light on how the author’s background and experiences may have influenced the themes and narrative of the story. Pacis is a renowned Filipino writer known for creating stories that explore societal issues and the human condition, particularly through the lens of young adult fiction. Her works often bring light to the suffering of the downtrodden through matters involving identity, self-esteem, and social acceptability. Given the fact that being physically good-looking is considered socially desirable in Filipino culture, the work of Pacis portrays how there are social pressures of sticking with the classic looks. Her thoughtful storytelling and empathy towards the emotional battle present a very perceptive understanding of what is faced by youth, especially those who have been rejected or criticized. It is against this background that the text comes alive because the voice of Pacis acts as a link between the characters she creates and the reader herself, thus having a personal but at the same time universally valid message about self-liberation and self-compassion.
Linguistic context
The prominent theme of the story is overcoming societal judgment and self-acceptance. The theme deepens the story's meaning in how other people’s judgment, bullying, and rejection can easily affect one’s self-worth. In the end, she learned to accept herself, this interconnects with the modern topics of 21st-century literature about promoting inclusivity, diversity, and mental-health awareness. As stated in the story, they emphasized the protagonist being “fat” and this shows the harsh reality of societal judgment or criticism she is facing. The story uses a simple writing style but has powerful impact takeaways to the readers. The narrator’s casual way of speaking style or the tone of a young adult builds a connection with the readers making it more relatable. The author uses the words “fat” and “lose weight” consistently to describe the protagonist's physical appearance, hence body shaming.
The characters, conflict, and symbol enhance the theme in a way that the protagonist faces harsh criticism and judgment from the people she is surrounded with, fostering an internal conflict as she struggles with her confidence. The people that she is surrounded with represent society’s unrealistic and toxic beauty standards. Symbols such as the food and cafeteria emphasize the difficulties she is facing; the food is being used to mock her, while the cafeteria symbolizes a battleground for public humiliation. The school setting affects the plot and conflict as it is a place where peer pressure and judgment are strong. The realistic environment makes the protagonist’s journey relatable and highlights the challenges of overcoming societal expectations.
At the beginning of the story, the protagonist heavily relies on people’s opinions about her, making her believe she isn’t beautiful and unworthy due to her appearance making her feel insecure. As the story unfolds, she realizes that her self-worth should not be defined by others opinions. The realization made her grow as an individual, she became stronger and did not let other people’s harsh words get to her easily, she stopped letting people control her life. From seeking validation of society’s beauty standards and other people’s judgment, she learned to embrace her uniqueness. The antagonist or often her classmates, is driven by societal norms and a desire to gain power and approval. They bully her because they believe that she doesn’t fit the ideal beauty standard which shows how toxic beauty standards can be, which can lead to hurting others to feel superiority or acceptance.
Sociocultural context
The sociocultural context of "There Was This Really Fat Girl" by Carla M. Pacis highlights the challenges young people face regarding body image and societal expectations, especially for girls. The story shows how much pressure teenagers feel to look a certain way, which is often influenced by media and cultural ideas about beauty. In many places, including the Philippines, being overweight can lead to negative comments and feelings of shame. Ana's experiences with her friends and family show how these pressures can make her feel unworthy and anxious about her appearance. The book criticizes these societal views and illustrates how they can lead to unhealthy choices, like Ana's decision to take dangerous weight-loss pills to fit in. As a reader, you might feel sympathy for Ana because her struggles are relatable. Many people understand what it feels like to want to be accepted and liked. However, the story can also make you frustrated with the unfair standards that society sets for beauty. The main lesson of the story is about the importance of loving yourself just as you are and recognizing that trying to change yourself drastically can be harmful. The book encourages readers to think about how we judge others based on looks rather than who they really are, promoting a message of kindness and acceptance toward ourselves and others.
Justification with Examples
In the text, Ana’s drastic decision to take banned medication illustrates the extreme measure on how individuals may resort due to such societal pressures. For example, Pacis writes, “Ana stared at her reflection, the image of the perfect dress taunting her. She felt the weight of the world on her shoulders, and in that moment, she decided that anything was better than being fat.” This quote captures Ana’s desperation and the impact of societal expectation on her self - worth. The story’s resolution where Ana misses the prom despite losing weight, emphasizes the futility of seeking validation through external appearances and underscores the importance of inner acceptance.
Conclusion
Carla M. Pacis’ novel, “There Was This Really Fat Girl,” tells a strong story about the difficulties people face in a world that values looks more than who they really are. Ana’s experiences with bullying, self-doubt, and the pressure to fit in show how society’s beauty standards can damage a person’s confidence and choices. The book teaches us that it is important to love ourselves, accept others, and find strength within ourselves. The message of the novel highlights how culture and society often judge people based on their appearance, creating unfair pressures. Ana’s journey from feeling hopeless to understanding that accepting herself is more important than what others think shows the dangers of these pressures and the importance of inner peace and self-love. This story shows that everyone wants to feel accepted, but we shouldn’t let harmful beauty standards affect how we view ourselves or others. As readers, we can choose to be kinder, avoid making unfair judgments, and build a world where people are appreciated for who they truly are, not just for their appearance. Let this story motivate us to create a more loving and accepting society.
UCSP
The social issue in "There Was This Really Fat Girl" by Carla M. Pacis revolves around body shaming and the harmful effects of unrealistic beauty standards. In the story, the protagonist faces cruel mockery and bullying because of her body size, a reflection of how society often values physical appearance over character or individuality. This issue extends beyond the protagonist, affecting people of all ages who do not conform to conventional beauty norms. In real life, this type of shaming leads to emotional and psychological harm, contributing to low self-esteem, anxiety, and even eating disorders. Families are also impacted, as the pain caused by these societal expectations affects the mental health of their loved ones. On a broader level, this issue reinforces a culture of judgment and exclusion, where people are unfairly judged based on their looks.
Addressing body shaming is essential to creating a more inclusive and accepting society. Tackling this issue helps individuals build better self-esteem and reduces the mental health risks associated with negative body image. By promoting self-love and teaching people to embrace their unique qualities, we can challenge toxic beauty standards. Families can help by offering emotional support and encouraging open discussions about body image. Schools can play a crucial role by implementing programs to educate students on the importance of kindness and inclusivity. Additionally, social media influencers and platforms should advocate for body positivity and discourage harmful beauty ideals. Through these actions, we can create a culture that values diversity and fosters a healthier relationship with body image.
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